A10 crossing proposed to safeguard pedestrians from new 83-home development at Stretham

A controlled pedestrian crossing is proposed to address road safety concerns surrounding plans for an 83-home development off the A10 at Stretham.

Long Term Land Ltd has applied to build a mix of flats and houses, all of which would be affordable.

But when the latest plans were presented to East Cambridgeshire district councillors in April, Cllr Julia Huffer (Con, Fordham and Isleham) feared people would “have to take their life in their hands” crossing the A10 from the new homes to the rest of the village.

Although no concerns were raised by the highways team at the county council, an independent traffic safety assessment was commissioned by the district council, which recommended a controlled pedestrian crossing.

The developer confirmed it is happy with the plan and is working on the design. The county council’s highways team will need to agree to the crossing, however, so the committee was asked to defer a decision on the plans.

Cllr Huffer had been concerned about how “mothers with small children were going to get across the A10 with any degree of safety”, but said she now had confidence if the proposed crossing was put in place.

Cllr Chika Akinwale (Lib Dem, Ely North) said in her “ideal world” the speed limit on the A10 would also be reduced and speed cameras installed to “ensure safety of any child crossing that road”.

Cllr Bill Hunt (Con, Stretham) still had concerns, suggesting that some children may not walk up to the controlled crossing but would try to run across the road. He was ”uncomfortable” supporting any development that could put children in “danger”.

Cllr Huffer did not think there was an “ideal” place for the crossing, but felt no children were “so stupid to attempt to cross that road if there is a crossing”.

She said if the highways team opposed the crossing, they should come to the next meeting to explain their reasoning.

The committee agreed to defer the plans for work on crossing.